AeroMorning January 26, 2026

The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has significantly expanded efforts to enhance drone capabilities across naval and military operations, aligning with the 2024‑2030 Military Planning Law and the operational requirements of the Marine nationale and French armed forces.

CapXDN: A National Naval Drone Testing Capability

On 12 June 2025, the DGA officially launched its Naval Drone Testing and Experimentation Capability, called CapXDN, from Toulon. The initiative enables advanced trials of naval drones — including aerial, surface, and underwater systems — in real maritime environments, in partnership with the French Navy. It aims to foster a national industrial ecosystem and meet the growing need for multi‑drone experimentation.

The launch included demonstrations such as the autonomous surface drone DRIX from Exail, operated from the test vessel BALISTE by DGA Techniques Navales.

SLAM‑F: Renewing Mine Warfare Capabilities

As part of the SLAM‑F (Future Naval Mine Countermeasure System) program, the DGA delivered the first mine warfare surface drone to the French Navy on 19 January 2025. This system combines a surface drone with a towed sonar and a deployable operations centre based in Brest, representing a technological breakthrough in mine countermeasure capability.

SDAM: Naval Unmanned Aerial Systems

At the end of December 2025, the DGA signed two major contracts under the SDAM (Naval Unmanned Aerial Systems) programme:

• The acquisition of five lightweight CAMCOPTER® S‑100 F drones for naval reconnaissance, to be integrated aboard French Navy frigates.
• The acquisition of six Airbus Helicopters VSR700 drones, to be integrated by Naval Group.

Deliveries are planned progressively through 2030, enhancing France’s naval air capabilities and tactical surveillance autonomy.

Strategic Context

These developments are part of France’s broader effort to reinforce technological sovereignty and operational drone capacity, complementing other drone initiatives such as medium‑altitude long‑endurance (MALE) demonstrators announced at the 2025 Paris Air Show by the DGA.